Lubricating device



y 1934- N. A. SELLERS. 1,960,070

LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed April 17, 1953 Patented May 22, 1934 UNETED'TATES PATENT OFFIE This invention relates to improvements inlubricating devices for cylinders, pistons and piston rods, andparticularly to lubricators for such parts of air compressors. It isespecially applicable to air compressors such as are used onlocomotives.

Air compressors used on locomotives are ordinarily of the double actingtype, alternately compressing the air at opposite ends of the cylinder.They are usually also of the vertical type, with the compressor cylinderpositioned directly above an actuating steam cylinder. The piston of thecompressor is connected directly by a piston rod to the piston of thesteam cylinder, the stufiing boxes of the cylinders being spaced shortdistances apart.

Dihiculty has been experienced in lubricating the lower portion of thecompressor cylinder and even greater difliculty in lubricating thepiston rod, particularly that portion of the rod which lies immediatelyadjacent the underside of the compressor piston and which therefore doesnot pass beyond the stuffing box. An oil saturated felt washer is placedaround the rod between the stufiing boxes, which washer accomplisheslubrication of the steam end of the rod but fails to reach portions ofthe compressor end thereof.

The objects of the present invention are:

To provide a simple and efficient device adapted to be used inconnection with compressors, steam engines or the like, whereby pistonmovement causes transfer of oil from the device to the interior of thecylinder;

- To provide means for transferring vaporized oil, or oil in the form ofan atomized spray into the cylinder;

To provide means for utilizing highly compressed or high pressure gasesat one end of the cylinder for transferring oil to an opposite region oflow pressure; and

To provide means for utilizing the high pressures and/or temperaturesdue to compression at one end of the cylinder of an air compressor foratomizing and/or vaporizing the oil for delivery to the opposite endthereof.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished andthe manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from thefollowing specification by reference to the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of an air compressor cylinder, and afragmentary portion of a steam cylinder for actuating the compressor,with the oiler applied to the compressor cylinder.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on a larger scale showing detail of theoil cup and parts.

Referring now to the drawing in which the various parts are indicated byreference numerals, is a compressor cylinder, and 11 and 12 the twoheads thereof. 13 is a steam cylinder and 14 a head thereof.

15 is the compressor piston and 16 the piston rod connecting thecompressor piston with that (not shown) of the steam cylinder. 1'7 and18 are respectively the compressor and steam cylinder stufiing boxes,and 19 a felt washer disposed around the piston rod between these boxeswhich washer is saturated with oil to lubricate the rod.

Valve and piping details of the cylinders are purposely omitted.

20 is an oil holder, or cup, which is supported on, or otherwise securedin proximity to, the cylinder 10, as by a bracket 21, formed integralwith the cup, and secured by a. cap screw 22 to the cylinder. Leadingfrom opposite ends of the cylinder, to the cup are oil tubes 23, 24, thelatter of which preferably discharges through a side wall of thecylinder, adjacent the bottom head, and is pointed toward the pistonrod. Both pipes lead into the top of the cup, preferably atdiametrically opposite sides thereof, and discharge diagonally downwardthereinto through restricted passageways or nozzles 25, 26, the area ofwhich is determined and preferably fixed with relation to the amount ofoil to be fed. 27 is a removable plug, which closes a filling opening inthe top of the cup.

The cup is filled with oil approximately to the level 28 shown and isready for use.

The action of the device is as follows: As the compressor piston 15moves toward an end of the cylinder, as for illustration in thedirection of the arrow A, air is forced, under increasing pressure andtemperature, through the pipe 23, and discharged violently downwardthrough the nozzle against and penetrating the surface 28 of the oil.Near the end of the piston stroke the pressure and/or temperature issufficient to atomize or vaporize the oil and such finely divided oil iscarried through the nozzle 26 and pipe 24 and discharged into theopposite end of the cylinder, which is then under low pressure or evenvacuum. A similar action is accomplished in the opposite direction onthe reverse movement of the piston. It will be noted that discharge atthe piston-rod end of the cylinder is preferably partially at least,against the piston rod.

It will particularly be noted that on each reversal of piston movementair under pressure is reversely blown through the nozzles and they arethereby automatically cleared of obstruction.

It will also be noted that the feeding of the lubricant to the cylindersis accomplished without the interposition of moving parts or otherfeeding means.

Having now fully disclosed my invention what I claim is:

1. The combination with a cylinder, having opposed heads, a doubleacting piston therein, an enclosed lubricant supply, and a pair ofpassageways in communication with opposite ends of said cylinder leadinginto the enclosure above said oil supply, and being unobstructed betweentheir connection with said enclosure and said cylinder ends, wherebyflow from one end of said cylinder through said enclosure to theopposite end thereof is alternated as said piston is reciprocated andoil charged fluid delivered alternately to said cylinder ends.

2. Lubricating means for a cylinder, having opposed heads and a doubleacting piston therein, said means comprising a closed oil cup, 2, pairof tubes leading respectively from opposite end portions of saidcylinder to said cup, said tubes being unobstructed from end to end,each of said tubes having a downwardly directed portion terminating in arestricted orifice, connecting such tube into the upper portion of saidcup, above the oil supply therein.

3. Lubricating means for a cylinder, having opposed heads and a doubleacting piston therein; said means comprising a closed oil cup, a pair oftubes unobstructed from end to end, leading respectively from theopposite end portions of said cylinder to said cup, each tube having aportion, terminating in a restricted orifice, directed diagonallydownward, connecting such tube into the upper portion of said cup, abovethe oil supply therein.

1. Lubricating means for a cylinder, having a double acting pistontherein; said means comprising a closed lubricant receptacle, andindependent passageways each originating at the top of said receptacleand respectively leading therefrom to opposite ends of said cylinder,each of said passageways being open to flow to and from said cylinderand said receptacle, whereby to permit alternation of such flow onactuation of said piston.

5. Lubricating means for a compressor cylinder, having a double actingpiston therein; said means comprising a closed receptacle for oil, and apair of complementary passageways connecting the top of said receptacleand respectively, each an opposite end portion of said cylinder, thereceptacle end of each of said passageways having an end portion with arestricted orifice and being downwardly directed toward oil in saidreceptacle, said passageways each being open to flow both to and fromsaid receptacle and said cylinder, whereby to alternate complementarycompressive and exhaust flows through said passageways to and from saidreceptacle on actuation of said piston.

6. Lubricating means for a cylinder having opposed heads and a doubleacting piston therein; comprising a closed oil cup and a pair of tubesleading respectively from the opposite end portions of said cylinder,and each terminating in a downwardly directed portion leading into thetop of said cup, said tubes being unobstructed from end to end, wherebyto establish communicating means permitting alternation of flow betweenopposite ends of said cylinder and transfer of oil vapor thereby to saidcylinder ends.

7. Lubricating means for a cylinder, having opposed heads and adouble-acting piston therein; comprising a closed oil cup and a pair ofunobstructed tubes leading respectively from the opposite end portionsof said cylinder, and each terminating in a downwardly directed portionleading into the top of said cup above the level of oil therein, saidtubes having restricted orifices at their cup ends, whereby to increasevelocity of flow against the surface of the oil therein.

8. The combination with a cylinder having opposed heads, and a doubleacting piston therein, of lubricating means comprising a passagewayexterior to said cylinder and in communication with both ends of saidcylinder, said passageway comprising a closed oil cup and twounobstructed tubes each having one end connected into an end of saidcylinder and its opposite end connected into said oil cup above the oillevel therein, and downwardly directed toward said oil level.

9. The combination with a cylinder having opposed heads, and a doubleacting piston there in; of lubricating means including a passagewayexterior to said cylinder extending from one end of said cylinder to theopposite end thereof, said passageway being open from end to end forflow in either direction, and comprising a closed oil cup and twocomplementary tubes, one of said tubes having one end connected into oneend of said cylinder and the other into the opposite end thereof, andeach having its opposite end extending downwardly toward, andterminating in the top of said oil cup.

10. Lubricating means for a double ended air compressor, having a,piston reciprocable therein; said means comprising a closed lubricantreceptacle and independent means, respectively establishingcommunication between the top of said receptacle and opposite ends ofsaid cylinder, both of said means being open for flow to and from saidcylinder, from and to said receptacle, and each having its connectingportion at said receptacle downwardly directed toward lubricant therein,whereby said means establish communication through said receptaclebetween opposite ends of said cylinder and permit discharge of air,compressed alternately at each end of said cylinder, against the surfaceof said lubricant and the transfer of such lubricant laden air to therespective opposite end of said cylinder.

11. Lubricating means for a double ended air compressor, having a pistonreciprocable therein; said means comprising a closed lubricantreceptacle and a pair of tubes, respectively establishing communicationbetween the top of said receptacle and opposite ends of said cylinder,both of said tubes being open for flow toand from said cylinder, fromand to said receptacle and each of said tubes having its connectingportion at said receptacle downwardly directed toward lubricant therein,whereby said tubes establish communication through said receptaclebetween opposite ends of said cylinder and permit discharge of air,compressed alternately at each end of said cylinder, against the surfaceof said lubricant and the transfer of such lubricant laden air to therespective opposite end of said cylinder.

12. Lubricating means for a double ended air compressor, having a pistonreciprocable therein; said means comprising a closed lubricantrreestablish communication through said receptacle between opposite endsof said cylinder and permit discharge of air, compressed alternately ateach end of said cylinder, violently against the surface of saidlubricant and the transfer of such lubricant laden air to the respectiveopposite ends of said cylinder.

NOAH A. SELLERS.

ALL,

